I didn't really get that impression while watching, I thought the communist song was supposed to be a joke. It would have been nice to mention the Americans who died at the plane wreck. They have taken moments like that before at other locations.

The song did not bother me, I saw it as a glimpse at a cultural Vietnamese offering...in fact it seemed to me that TAR made it slightly tongue-in-cheek.

I did not see anything which I took as offensive to Vietnam Vets, but would like to hear more if any were offended. I still remember Ian's reaction to seeing VietNam again in Tar 3...and how touching that was.

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I didn't really get that impression while watching, I thought the communist song was supposed to be a joke. It would have been nice to mention the Americans who died at the plane wreck. They have taken moments like that before at other locations.

On a note that is only somewhat related, that ridiculous performance they had to watch could definitely be said to be propaganda in the U.S.

Ultimately, however, for it to be officially defined as propaganda, it must be proven that the task was featured on the show specifically for the purpose of promoting a political ideology. I don't know that that could be proven in this case. More likely it was featured simply to reveal the culture of the country.

It doesn't really bother me as much as it probably seemed when I first posted (my mistake for using emphatic language), but it is interesting nevertheless.

« Last Edit: March 22, 2013, 09:29:15 AM by Hooky »

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I didn't really get that impression while watching, I thought the communist song was supposed to be a joke. It would have been nice to mention the Americans who died at the plane wreck. They have taken moments like that before at other locations.

On a note that is only somewhat related, that ridiculous performance they had to watch could definitely be said to be propaganda in the U.S.

Ultimately, however, for it to be officially defined as propaganda, it must be proven that the task was featured on the show specifically for the purpose of promoting a political ideology. I don't know that that could be proven in this case. More likely it was featured simply to reveal the culture of the country.

I really don't think much thought was put into the significance of the B52 memorial in Hanoi. I think if someone at WRP had actually read the plaque there they wouldn't have used it.The plaque reads in full:

At 23.05 on December 27th 1972, the Battalion No 72 - Air Defense Missile Regiment No 285 shot down on the spot a B52G of the US imperialist violating Ha Noi air space. A part of the wreckage fell in to Huu Tiep Lake - Ngoc Ha Pricinct, Ba Dinh District, Ha Noi.

The outstanding feat of arm contributed to achieving the victory 'Dien Bien Phu in the Air': defeating the US imperialist's strategic air raid with B52 bomber against Ha Noi at the end of December 1972 and creating an important change that led the Vietnamese people's anti-US resistance for national salvation to the complete victory.

If it had been a memorial to fallen American airmen, I don't see a problem - but its not. The usage of the B52 site was in the very least insensitive the US Vets.

On the other point - I don't recall the song mentioning communism at all - maybe I need to re-watch it.It did extoll the virtues of socialism if I recall correctly. ( http://www.diffen.com/difference/Communism_vs_Socialism )Nothing wrong with socialism if its done right.And before anyone says anything, I know that despite Vietnam's official name being the "Socialist Republic of Vietnam" it really is a communist country. well maybe Marxist-Leninist but lets not split ideological hairs...

I also thought having the blind U-turn next to the B-52 wreck was rather insensitive and probably not well thought out by the production staff. The song about socialism and the glorious future of Vietnam didn't bother me at all. However, I fully expected outrage from some people once the episode finished. I'm frankly surprised at how little reaction there has been and that it took until Thursday to come to light.

Maybe WRP just wanted to show that there is still some remembrances of the B-52, and it is just there. I don't think there has to be any further thought about it. It may not be a place that inspires happiness or joy, but not all the destinations are required to, at all. I don't see it should affect that much.

I am not from the US, and maybe get a wrong impression about the feelings American people have. Just my 2 cents.

I think that a B-52 in a lake is a fitting representation of what happened to Vietnam for nearly 10 years. U.S. bombing was intense. The fact that the Vietnamese people had made a memorial out of it is appropriate. I think World Race Productions was OK in using that in AR22. If some in the U.S. don't like it, so be it.

I think they just left it where it fell. What happened after that is a cultural curiosity for visitors to discover. WRP is always looking for those kinds of things in the places we visit. I think the first order of respect goes to the local people, what they do, what they like, etc.

On the flipside, it would be real cool if WRP shows a note of tribute to the B-52 crew in this coming episode where Teams leave Hanoi.

While I can understand how Vietnam brings up horrible, painful memories for many vets and their families, the argument I'm reading all over and from Bob Beckel is that the Race somehow disrespected, insulted, and degraded American veterans. That it was disgusting, offensive, un-American, and treasonous. That it glorified and cheered the Vietnamese killing of American soldiers. Many have equated the use of the location as spitting on the memory of those who died there.

I honestly don't understand. It's not like they did a song and dance in front of it. Nor did they even mention the propaganda posted there.I'm not ashamed to say I'm a conservative and that I watch Fox News. And I know it's not only conservatives outraged about it. And I know personally how war affects families. But I honestly don't understand how this could draw such, not just anger, but complete and utter disgust and contempt of a show that has, for 12 years and 21 seasons been nothing but respectful and reverent to every single place they've visited and been proud to give Americans the opportunity to explore the world.

Max Bichler My Dad is a Vietnam combat vet. It was amazing that I was able to travel there on a reality tv game show, and my father was there fighting a war...needless to say I felt pretty blessed to be there under my circumstances and not his. Generational thing for sure though, as we don't have the same connotations and memories associated with the country. I'm glad to know the history of that B-52, we all felt a bit guilty for not taking a moment to pay our respects. You want to talk about strange, as I read literature in Vietnam...it was really strange to see the war referred to as the "American War". Again, I'm very fortunate to have been able to travel there under my circumstances, and not my father's.

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I just realized this when I re-watched this episode. Usually, when teams were going to Vietnam in the previous seasons, the route markers were colored yellow with white stripes to avoid confusion with the flag of former South Vietnam. But this time, when teams were getting the clue from a clue box in B-52 Memorial, the route marker is the usual yellow with red stripes. Had anyone recognized this before?